Bad Dad's custom rear fender is a fender cover that installs on top of the factory fender.
We install both our short rear fender and wide rear fender the same way. Here's how we do it:
1) Here is the back of the stock bike. Begin by removing the seat.
2) And remove the saddlebags.
3) Then remove the chrome strut covers. You will not reuse the strut covers with the Bagger Fender.
4) Next remove the license plate bracket from the back of the motorcycle. Remove the upper bolts first.
5) Then remove the lower bolts.
6) Remove these bolts from both sides of the motorcycle and then the entire bracket assembly can be removed. You will not reuse this assembly but you will reuse the bolts.
7) If you have an external style bumper bracket (Electra Glide & Ultra) then remove it now.
If you have an internal style bumper bracket (Street Glide & Road Glide) then you do not need to remove it. However, you will need to remove the nut from the backside of the stud that is secured to the internal bumper bracket.
8) Now we will prepare to remove the OEM fender from the motorcycle. Remove the side covers.
Then remove the bolt that secures the front of the OEM fender to the battery box (pictured left), and remove the bolts from the sides of the fender (pictured right).
9) The OEM fender should be completely loose inside the frame. Remove the OEM fender.
10) Saddlebag Guard Models only: If you have saddlebag guards then those can be removed now. If you do not, skip to step #12.
11) Saddlebag Guard Models only: You will have also removed the lower saddlebag rail while removing the saddlebag guards. You can install a non-guarded lower saddlebag support rail at this time. This is the same lower support that is s found on the Street Glide & Road Glide models.
12) The saddlebag rails are disconnected from the rear struts because the license plate bar has been removed. Reattach the saddlebag rails to the struts by using Bad Dad's Eliminator Bracket. This will bring the saddlebag rails back into alignment.
Note: You do not need to use Bad Dad's bracket. You can also cut the center section from the bar and only reinstall the ends. However, be advised that failure to remove enough material from the bar may cause unnecessary pressure underneath the Bagger Fender. Bad Dad is unable to warranty any damage to the Bagger Fender due to improperly modifying the OEM license plate bracket.
13) With the fender removed from the motorcycle, remove the OEM taillights and wiring harness.
14) Note: You will not need to cut the OEM fender if you are using Bad Dad's Smooth or Recessed Bagger Fender. However, you will need to cut the OEM fender if you are using the All-in-One Bagger Fender or the Bagger Fender with Flush Mount Center Brake Light. The OEM fender needs to be cut for these two applications to make room for the taillight housings featured on these custom fenders.
Here are your cutting points for 1997-2008 Touring models: measure 6" past the rear seat bolt hole. Note: Failure to cut at the correct points will place undue pressure on your lower bumper bracket and eventually cause the bumper bracket to break. Please measure correctly.
15) With the fender properly measured and marked, you may now cut off the bottom portion of the fender. Safety glasses are recommended.
16) After the stock rear fender has been cut you may wish to lightly sand the edges of the modified steel fender to keep from cutting yourself in the future. Bad Dad always sands these edges but it is not required.
17) Bad Dad also placed a rubber seal around the edge of the stock fender to prevent the raw edge from damaging the taillight's wiring harness. Again, this is not required but it is recommended.
18) Then reinstall either your stripped OEM fender or modified OEM fender back onto the motorcycle.
19) Now install your OEM internal bumper bracket.
20) Now your new Bad Dad parts can be installed. The Bagger Fender can now be laid over the OEM fender.
21) All of the mounting holes in Bad Dad's Bagger Fender are pre-drilled for you. Secure the Bagger Fender to the bike at the two studs underneath the seat and also the rear seat bolt hole.
22) You can also install your Stretched Bags at this time. All of the mounting holes in Bad Dad's Stretched Bags are pre-drilled & pre-fit prior to shipping to you.
23) Transfer over your saddlebag bushings & grommets and install your Stretched Bags.
24) Finally, we recommend making a secure attachment point near the bottom of the fender. This can be done in a number of ways, such as fiberglassing a stud onto the back of the Bagger Fender or securing a surface mounted bolt through the license plate area of the Bagger Fender.
25) Your Bagger Fender and Stretched Bags are now installed.
26) Note: For 1997-2008 models, some OEM seat pans will sit improperly on the Bagger Fender. This can be resolved by cutting a 7-1/2" wide x 4-1/4" deep rectangle directly behind the battery box at the front edge of the Bagger Fender. This will relieve the clearance issue. The specifics of this cut are not too important as the seat will cover the opening with the seat is installed. Bad Dad pre-cuts all mounting holes in the fender prior to shipping your custom order. However, we cannot pre-cut this area prior to shipping as it weakens the front edge of the fender during shipping which increases the chance for shipping damage. You will want to make this quick trim if your seat pan requires it.
27) Troubleshooting Help: Alignment variations of the saddlebag rails can cause the perception of fitment problems on the 1997-2008 Touring models. Below are tips for troubleshooting and correcting fitment problems with fender-to-saddlebag gaps and exhaust alignment issues.
Steps 28-29: Saddlebag sits too high
Steps 30-31: Exhaust not centered in exhaust hole
28) Saddlebag sits too high: The exhaust ports in your Bad Dad parts should be even and symmetrical. The first picture on the left depicts an instance when the ports do not align and one saddlebag sits too high or the exhaust port is misaligned with the fender.
This problem can be caused by the saddlebag isolator rubber not being properly installed in the bottom of the saddlebag. Check to ensure the rubber isolators are properly installed and fully seated into the saddlebag.
29) Continued: If the rubber isolators are installed properly, the next possible culprit is interference with the exhaust hanger. The picture on the left shows a saddlebag that is not properly seated because the exhaust hanger is too high. This can be corrected by placing a 1/4" spacer underneath the saddlebag rail and above the exhaust hanger. Then re-tighten the hardware to gain the correct fitment you need.
Note: This hanger interference problem is most common with Rinehart exhaust, which is why we used Rinehart pipes for this tutorial. This is not common with other aftermarket pipes but it can exist.
30) Pipes not centered in exhaust hole: The exhaust ports in your Bad Dad parts should be even and symmetrical. If your exhaust is not centered in the exhaust hole then the pipes can be rotated until the pipes are properly aligned. The picture on the left depicts an exhaust pipe that is not centered. This misalignment is due to the adjustability of the exhaust mounting method.
31) Continued: The pipes can be aligned by loosening the muffler and then rotating the exhaust clamp at the front of the slip-on pipe. With the exhaust clamp loose you can rotate the pipe to achieve a centered fit inside the exhaust ports.
32) Finished. These pictures show the final alignment you should have with your Bad Dad parts installed. The gap between the Bagger Fender & Stretched Bags should be 1/8" to 1/4", the exhaust ports should properly align to make a symmetrical circle, and your exhaust mufflers should be centered inside the exhaust port.
